UPDATE 5/19/2015: A mere 2.5 years in, my NutriBullet died. It physically works in the sense the motor runs; but the inside of the base is coated in a red-rust powder with sticky patches of a thick, dark sludge similar to that of hot asphalt. It’s only leaked once or twice, and I thoroughly cleaned it, so it’s disgusting to me that this is the end result. I don’t believe this sludge ever got into my drinks (at least, that’s what I’ve convinced myself) because the issue seems to be the base of the blade. I did give my NutriBullet a daily workout by making smoothies, baby food, flours, and nut butter, but that’s still no excuse for how nasty it is now. I regret having to now rescind my review below because I truly loved this appliance for over two years! I still believe it is a fantastic STARTER blender for someone who is just beginning a healthy lifestyle and doesn’t want to commit to a high-price blender; but ultimately, it doesn’t seem to be built for the longevity of daily use. I have upgraded to a Nutri Ninja DUO with Auto-IQ (with a lifetime warranty!) and will be sure to post a review.

ORIGINAL SEPT 2012 REVIEW

Please see updated comments above

It’s shocking that it took this long, but I have finally been persuaded to purchase an item on an infomercial.

Last Friday night, my husband and I were lazing about and I happened to stumble upon an infomercial for the NutriBullet. I have been wanting to purchase a smoothie maker for quite some time but the highest rated ones–like VitaMix and Ninja–are very expensive, and/or have way too many parts. Plus, I always have to take into account the limited counter and cabinet space in my kitchen. My husband made fun of me as I got pulled deeper and deeper into the admittedly cheesy infomercial, but it seemed like a simple, affordable solution.

The site claims “this offer will NEVER be available in store” and they’re right–6 “easy installments” of $19.99 is more expensive than what you find in store, since it’s $99.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. To make it even more affordable, I bummed a 20% off coupon from my mother-in-law, used a $30 gift card, and happily set off to purchase it on Tuesday for around $50.

What is NutriBullet?

NutriBullet is basically a small, convenient blender that grinds up your fruits, vegetables, and nuts to create naturally healthy smoothies within one minute. The sister of the MagicBullet, the NutriBullet has their trademark cyclonic technology which helps to completely grind up the ingredients. Or, to use their promotional language, “don’t juice it! Don’t blend it! Extract it!”

The NutriBullet comes with two types of blades–the extractor blade which can break through tough skin, stems and seeds (you will use this one most often), and the milling blade which grinds up herbs and chops up nuts. It also comes with 3 cups–the tall cup is best if your smoothie is for a meal replacement or if you’re sharing with a friend; and the two smaller cups are for individual or snack-size servings. No matter the cup size you use, they double as both the blender and your cup to drink from.

Flavor Variety

The NutriBullet also comes with a nutrition guide and recipe book, which despite some exaggerated language, is actually quite handy. It recommends that all NutriBlasts (their promotional name for the drinks you create) begin with 50% green, leafy vegetables such as fresh baby spinach, kale, mixed greens or Romaine lettuce. The other 50% is completely up to you. Choose from all sorts of delicious produce, nuts and seeds. This past week, I’ve been creating drinks from a combination of baby spinach, Romaine lettuce (preferred spinach or mixed greens as the 50% base instead), cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, kiwi, apple, strawberries, peaches, grapes, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts and bananas. For a thinner smoothie (which I like) include 1/4-1/2 cup of water. For a thicker, creamier smoothie they recommend skipping the water and adding banana or avocado.

Major Pros

Hands down, the best part of the NutriBullet is that the blender doubles as your cup, which means less clean up. I’m also a huge fan of the small size because it’s easy to store or even keep on your countertop. It’s also super easy to clean. As soon as your smoothie is done blending, you twist off the blade, wash it off with warm soapy water, and then drink from the cup. The cups can then go on the top shelf of your dishwasher, or be easily washed in warm soapy water.

From a nutrition standpoint, smoothies are much better for you than juice. With a juicer, you’re straining and removing all the pulp and mill, which is actually the fibrous, most nutritious part of produce. The NutriBullet grinds and extracts it all so you’re getting all the natural goodness.

Downfall

Once you get over their cheesy marketing tactics, I can’t think of any downfall to this contraption. At least none that I have personally experienced this past week. If I’m going to get really nit-picky though, I have 3 comments. 1. I wish they would label the two different blades. I mixed them up at one point and used the milling blade for my regular drink. There was no noticeable difference in my drink but it’s easy to forget which is which even though they look different. I made my own label to prevent this from happening again. 2. I find it bizarre that the materials all include pictures of colorful vegetables like carrots and bell peppers, but the words say “50% green leafy vegetables and 50% fruits and nuts.” The nutritional guide doesn’t list vegetables in any of the recipes either. Weird. 3. They make no mention of how small the pieces of produce need to be or if putting, say, half a cored apple, would break the blades. I’ve been slicing up the apples, cucumbers and peaches, so I recommend cutting up your produce a bit just to be safe.

There are some reviews on bedbathandbeyond.com that complain about leaking, but there were several people who came to NutriBullet’s defense and said that the leaking is likely user-error, caused by people cramming in more ingredients than recommended. In each cup size, there is a fill level line. If you go above this line, you may experience leaking. People have also confused the purpose of this machine–it is to make smoothies of milkshake-texture and is not a juicer.

If I haven’t sold you yet…

Below is the infomercial demonstrating how this machine works. Final warning, it is super cheesy and makes me embarrassed to have experience in direct response TV on my resume but it does correctly show how this appliance works.

15 Comments

Lori

meridith

You should! I’ll have to do a little bit more research, but I don’t see how much different the NutriBullet can be from the BabyBullet (which makes baby food.) Unless I learn otherwise, I plan to buy the BabyBullet storage system (for $19.99 at BB&B) and make my own nutritious baby food next time around.

I saw that commercial one night and almost bought it. I wasn’t certain it would hold up for the long run and another kitchen appliance would be doomed to the graveyard with the rest. Thanks for your review!

Paula

Great product—for about 6 months! Investigate complaints regarding the blade assembly before buying. In less than 6 months of moderate use, the blade assembly began leaking,what I now know was lubricant, before it completely seized. Customer service with this company is less than great, btw.

meridith

Vitally Alcher

When purchased brand new , you have to seat the seals on each chopping and milling and extractor blade assembly .
For the first 3 uses fill cup only to one third and add one third water , oil the seal and threads ( with 1/2 TEASPOON vegetable oil ) much easier , when putting blade assembly together with the cup . Use a dish towel to assist in handling the cup and blade part . Mix with short intervals . These actions will season and seat the seals and help prevent leakage . Vitally

Bettye Bagby

To say I love the Nutribullet is an understatement! I LOVE and ADORE THIS THING! I blend virtually every day. I have a Ninja that was ok but it didn’t break the food down very well. The Nutribullet does exactly what the informercial says it does. I feel much better as I have changed my eating habits, too. It is a perfect tool to go along with a great diet!!! BUY IT!! You won’t be disappointed!

Elizabeth Cruz

IVE HAD MY NUTRIBULLET FOR AWHILE NOW AND IVE HAD NO PROBLEMS, IT DID LEAK ONCE BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE I OVER STUFFED IT ONCE I STOPPED DOING THAT IT DIDNT ANYMORE.THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE LEAKING EITHER STUFF IT TOO MUCH PR ADD TOO MUCH WATER.THIS HAS DONE ME SO WELL, IM A RAW VEGAN SO I USE THIS TO MAKE MY SMOOTHIES ALL THE TIME.IVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN MY NORMAL WEIGHT WITH IT.I LOVE MY NUTRIBULLET, AND IM SORRY FOR THOSE WHO DONT BENEFIT FROM IT AS I HAVE.ITS AN AWESOME MACHINE!

Billy

It’s rusty, putrid liquid guys. I’ve come to the conclusion that the problem is unavoidable. Here’s why: Traditional blenders typically have blades that seat between a rubber gasket, the screw thingy, and the pitcher. For blenders, these blades come apart and are cleaned with every use. For the NutriBullet, the blades, gaskets and screw thingy are combined as one tightly constructed unit. They’re NOT meant to come apart for various conveniences gained. HOWEVER, your juice liquids will eventually run past the seals causing a putrid brownish/black rust liquid to leak out. I’d love for them to include that in their infomercials! The only solution I’ve come up with (AND I JUST FIXED THIS ISSUE TODAY) is to take the blade assembly apart (USE A TOWEL to hold the blades and turn to the RIGHT to unscrew – IN THIS CASE RIGHTY LOOSEY & LEFTY TIGHTY). Remove the smelly/oozing gaskets and components. Clean thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Dry with cloth and then let air dry over night. Put it all back together (seating the gaskets). Presto – You’re good (I’m guessing) for another few months before nastiness leaks out again.

Jamie

Renee Landman

My body is probably in shock from all the fruits and vegetables intake since purchasing this “can’t live without” Nutri-Bullet! This was the best money we’ve ever spent on an appliance! I suffer from many ailments which include joint pain, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. Since consuming only one shake per day the past two months, I FEEL FANTASTIC! My blood sugar is completely normal (and I’m not on medication for it!), I’m sleeping better because the joint pain is not severe anymore, I’ve lost weight and can actually feel the belly fat I’ve carried around (since giving birth 22 years ago) is diminishing and turning into muscle! I’m not giving away my free one for fear of the one I use everyday breaking and being without my shakes! Seriously though, this product is better than any high priced juicer on the market and totally worth the investment in your health. I am not disciplined in my eating habits and have lost a lot of metabolism strength throughout the years from not eating regular meals, but now I feel that energy again and am totally full after drinking my morning shake. I can notice a difference from just missing one day. The weight isn’t coming off drastically but at a healthier pace, as it should. Anyone can tell you that a fast weight loss is sure to prove detrimental in the long run and losing slowly while building muscle mass is much healthier and sustainable. I do recommend adding milled flax seed or purchasing the nutribullet superfood mix to add to the shakes. Here’s to a lifetime of healthy eating…THANK YOU NUTRI-BULLET!!!

Adam McCall

A great product, it works well and especially as the unit doubles as the cup that you drink out of. Let’s be real though people, the nutribullet is not ‘saving’ your lives…. if you would just eat clean and a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables and healthy things in the first place, then you might not be in the position you’re in. The machine is only making eating things easier by pulverizing them and allowing you to drink it. Food isn’t “supercharged” just because it’s pulverized in this thing.